With 2022 drawing to a close, Discover Moose Jaw will be sharing some of the biggest stories that were viewed by you in 2022. This story was first published August 8, 2022.
Two hundred and thirty Ukrainians landed in Regina in early July. They came to Canada to escape the Russian war on Ukraine.
Many of those Ukrainians came to Moose Jaw to resettle and rebuild their lives.
According to the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC), dozens of Ukrainians have arrived in the city and are using their services.
“We do know that we serve roughly 20 individuals but there could very well be more that are here,” says Stephanie Palmer, Executive Director at the MJMC.
She adds that other resettlers may be receiving help from other locals or family and may not need the assistance from the MJMC; therefore, it’s difficult for the organization to say exactly how many Ukrainians have moved to Moose Jaw.
For the individuals that the MJMC is able to help, their process of resettling is smooth and welcoming.
“They’re eligible for any service we provide just like any other newcomer. We help them with initial needs assessment and settlement planning. They would be eligible to attend our language classes and receive language assessments. (They can) go through our employment program. If they have kids, they would also be eligible for our settlement worker in schools' program... They would also be eligible to participate in our community connections programs, any conversation circles, or any recreational activities that we have going on as well,” says Palmer.
Anyone looking for more information about the services that the MJMC offers can visit its website.
The MJMC isn’t working alone either. Individuals within the community and surrounding areas are also taking it upon themselves to help the newcomers in the city.
Ukrainian families have been receiving donations of furniture, house supplies, and many other items from their neighbors.
One of the family members, a young girl named Zlata Moskalova, who fled Ukraine with her mother, is a talented violinist.
She sadly had to leave her violin behind in Ukraine since she and her mother could only carry a small suitcase and their paperwork while fleeing their home country.
One local resident heard that Moskalova’s violin had to be left behind and graciously decided to donate a new violin to her.
To say thank you to the generous local residents for the donations to her family, Moskalova plays the Ukrainian National Anthem for Discover Moose Jaw